Drum type washing machine

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a drum type washing machine, which effectively attenuates a vibration transferred to a tub. The present invention includes a cabinet forming an exterior, a tub in the cabinet to hold water, a drum in the tub to hold a detergent and the water, a rotational shaft penetrating into the tub to be coupled with a rear side of the drum, a motor transferring a driving force to the rotational shaft, and a damper provided between the tub and the cabinet to attenuate vertical, horizontal, and front-to-rear vibrations transferred to the tub by a rotation of the drum.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application(s) No.10-2002-0075351 filed on Nov. 29, 2002, which is/are hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and moreparticularly, to a drum type washing machine, which effectivelyattenuates a vibration transferred to a tub.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] In a general drum type washing machine, a drum holding thelaundry, water, and detergent inside is rotated to lift the laundry upby protrusions to perform washing using the shock energy of the laundryfalling down and a frictional force thereof.

[0006] Such a drum type washing machine avoids causing damage to thelaundry and prevents the laundry from being entangled, therebyprevailing in use gradually.

[0007] A construction of a drum type washing machine according to arelated art is explained by referring to the attached drawing asfollows.

[0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum type washingmachine according to a related art.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, in a drum type washing machine according toa related art, a cabinet 2 made of a metal-based material forms anexterior. An entrance is formed at a front side of the cabinet 2, and adoor 18 is installed at the entrance to prevent a laundry from poppingout. And, a tub 6 supported by a spring 4 is installed in the cabinet 2to hold water.

[0010] A drum 12 in which the laundry and detergent are put is rotatablyinstalled in the tub 6. A rotational shaft 8 coupled with a motor 10 isinstalled in a rear side of the drum 12 to transfer a driving force tothe drum 12. And, a plurality of lifts 14 are installed on an inside ofthe drum 12 to pull up the laundry to fall.

[0011] Meanwhile, a gasket 20 formed of such an elastic material asrubber is installed between the door 18 and the tub 6. The gasket 20alleviates a shock generated from a rotation of the drum 12 as well asmakes the door 18 airtight to prevent the water from leaking.

[0012] A damper 40 is installed at one side under the tub 6. The damper40 attenuates the vibration transferred to the tub 6 through therotational shaft 8 while the washing machine operates.

[0013] Moreover, a control panel 22 for controlling an operation of thedrum type washing machine is installed on a top of the cabinet 2. Awater supply hose 24, a water supply valve 26, and a detergent box 28are installed in an upper part of the cabinet 2 to supply the water anddetergent to the tub 6. And, a drain pump 30 and a drain hose 32 areinstalled at one side under the tub 6 to circulate or discharge thewater.

[0014] However, the related art drum type washing machine has thefollowing problems or disadvantages.

[0015] First of all, the damper, which is installed at one side underthe tub, attenuates vertical and horizontal vibrations but fails toattenuate a front-to-rear vibration.

[0016] Hence, when the tub vibrates in front-to-rear directions, thevibration is not attenuated to cause damage to internal parts such asgasket and the like.

[0017] Moreover, the front-to-rear vibration of the tub affects theoperation of the drum and motor in washing, rinsing, and dewatering,whereby the drum type washing machine is unstably driven.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a drum typewashing machine that substantially obviates one or more of the problemsdue to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0019] An object of the present invention, which has been devised tosolve the foregoing problem, lies in providing a drum type washingmachine, which effectively attenuates a vibration transferred to a tub.

[0020] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent tothose having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the followingor may be learned from a practice of the invention. The objectives andother advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by thesubject matter particularly pointed out in the specification and claimshereof as well as in the appended drawings.

[0021] To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance withthe present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, thereis provided a drum type washing machine including a cabinet forming anexterior, a tub in the cabinet to hold water, a drum in the tub to holda detergent and the water, a rotational shaft penetrating into the tubto be coupled with a rear side of the drum, a motor transferring adriving force to the rotational shaft, and a damper provided between thetub and the cabinet to attenuate vertical, horizontal, and front-to-rearvibrations transferred to the tub by a rotation of the drum.

[0022] In this case, the damper includes a cylinder and a pistoninserted in the cylinder to reciprocate. A cylinder holder is providedat one end of the cylinder to be coupled with the tub and a pistonholder is provided at one end of the piston to be coupled with thecabinet.

[0023] And, the cylinder and piston holders are hinge-coupled withfixing ends provided at the tub and cabinet, respectively.

[0024] Meanwhile, the damper preferably includes first and seconddampers provided at left and right sides under a bottom of the tub toattenuate the vertical and horizontal vibrations and a third damperprovided in rear of the tub to attenuate the front-to-rear vibration.

[0025] In this case, each of the first to third dampers comprises acylinder and a piston inserted in the cylinder to reciprocate. Acylinder holder is provided at one end of the cylinder to be coupledwith the tub and a piston holder is provided at one end of the piston tobe coupled with the cabinet.

[0026] And, the cylinder and piston holders are hinge-coupled withfixing ends provided at the tub and cabinet, respectively.

[0027] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided adamper of a drum type washing machine including first and second dampersprovided at left and right sides under a bottom of the tub to attenuatethe vertical and horizontal vibrations and a third damper provided inrear of the tub to attenuate the front-to-rear vibration.

[0028] In this case, each of the first to third dampers comprises acylinder and a piston inserted in the cylinder to reciprocate. Acylinder holder is provided at one end of the cylinder to be coupledwith the tub and a piston holder is provided at one end of the piston tobe coupled with the cabinet.

[0029] And, the cylinder and piston holders are hinge-coupled withfixing ends provided at the tub and cabinet, respectively.

[0030] It is to be understood that both the foregoing explanation andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and illustrative and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciple of the invention. In the drawings:

[0032]FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum type washingmachine according to a related art;

[0033]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drum type washing machineaccording to the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine havinga damper according to the present invention, in which an internal viewis partially shown; and

[0035]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a damper according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferredembodiment(s) of the present invention, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, likeelements are indicated using the same or similar reference designationswhere possible.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drum type washing machineaccording to the present invention.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, in a drum type washing machine according tothe present invention, a cabinet 52 having an opening at a front sideforms an exterior. The opening is to put in/out a laundry and isclosed/open by a door 68 rotatably installed at the cabinet 52.

[0039] A tub 56 connected to the cabinet 52 by a spring 54 is installedin the cabinet 2, and a drum 62 in which the laundry and detergent areput is rotatably installed in the tub 56.

[0040] A plurality of lifts 64 are installed on an inside of the drum 12to pull up the laundry to a predetermined height to fall. A rotationalshaft 58 coupled with a motor 60 is installed in a rear side of the drum62 to transfer a driving force to the drum 62.

[0041] A control panel 72 for controlling an operation of the drum typewashing machine is installed on a top of the cabinet 52. A water supplyhose 74, a water supply valve 76, and a detergent box 78 are installedin an upper part of the cabinet 52 to supply the water and detergent tothe tub 56 and drum 62. And, a drain pump 80 and a drain hose 82 areinstalled under the tub 56 to discharge the water.

[0042] And, a gasket 70 formed of such an elastic material as rubber isinstalled between the door 68 and the tub 56. The gasket 70 absorbs ashock transferred to the tub 56 when the drum 62 rotates as well asprevents the water from leaking through the door 68.

[0043] In the above-constructed drum type washing machine, since thedrum 62 is rotated by the rotational shaft 58 on washing, rinsing, anddewatering, the driving force of the motor 60 is transferred to the drum62 to generate vibrations appearing on the tub 56 and drum 62.

[0044] Hence, a damper 90 is installed between the tub 56 and thecabinet 52 to attenuate the vibrations. And, the damper 90 is installedto attenuate front-to-rear vibrations of the tub 56 as well as verticaland horizontal vibrations, which are generated from the rotation of thedrum 62.

[0045] The damper 90 is explained in detail by referring to the attacheddrawing as follows.

[0046]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine havinga damper according to the present invention, in which an internal viewis partially shown.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the damper 90 includes first and seconddampers 91 a and 91 b attenuating vertical and horizontal vibrations anda third damper 92 attenuating a front-to-rear vibration.

[0048] The first and second dampers 91 a and 91 b are installed at leftand right sides under the tub 56, respectively, and the third damper 92is installed in rear of a bottom of the tub 56. Hence, if the tub 56vibrates horizontally or vertically, both of the first and seconddampers 91 a and 91 b vibrate together. If the tub 56 vibrates infront-to-rear directions, the third damper 92 vibrates together. Hence,the vertical and horizontal vibrations of the tub 56 are attenuated bythe first and second dampers 91 a and 91 b, and the front-to-rearvibration is attenuated by the third damper 92.

[0049] Of course, an installation position of the damper 90 isversatile. For example, the third damper 92 can be installed in front ofthe bottom of the tub 56 or in each of front and rear of the bottom ofthe tub 56. Moreover, at least four dampers 90 can be installed toattenuate vibrations more effectively.

[0050]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a damper according to thepresent invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, the damper 90 includes a cylinder 93 and apiston 94. The piston 94 is inserted in the cylinder 93 to reciprocateinside the cylinder 93 according to the vibrations of the tub 56. Inthis case, a frictional force is generated between the piston 94 and thecylinder 93 to attenuate the vibrations transferred from the tub 56.

[0052] A cylinder holder 97 is provided at one end of the cylinder 93 tobe coupled with the tub 56, and a piston holder 98 is provided at oneend of the piston 94 to be connected to the cabinet 52.

[0053] The cylinder and piston holders 97 and 98 are preferablyhinge-coupled with the tub and cabinet 56 and 52, respectively. Forthis, fixing ends 99 are formed at the bottom of the tub 56 and a bottominside of the cabinet 52 to be coupled with the cylinder holder 97 andthe piston holder 98, respectively.

[0054] Each of the fixing ends 99 includes a pair of protrusions leavinga predetermined distance from each other, and the piston or cylinderholder 98 or 97 is installed between the protrusions. Moreover, a holeto which a hinge pin 96 is fitted is formed at each of the fixing ends99, cylinder holder 97, and piston holder 98.

[0055] Hence, the cylinder and piston holders 97 and 98 are fixed to thefixing ends 99 by the corresponding hinge pins 96, respectively.

[0056] Of course, the cylinder and piston holders 97 and 98 can bedirectly coupled with the tub and cabinet 56 and 52 by screws and thelike, respectively.

[0057] An operation of the above-constructed drum type washing machineaccording to the present invention is explained as follows.

[0058] First of all, once a power is applied to the drum type washingmachine, the control panel turns on the water supply valve 76 accordingto an amount of the input laundry to supply water to the tub 56. Thewater supply is performed via the water supply hose 74.

[0059] After the tub 56 is sufficiently filed with the supplied water, awashing step is executed so that the drum 62 is rotated by the motor 60.In this case, the input laundry in the drum 62 is lifted up to fall downfor washing.

[0060] After completion of the washing step, a draining step isinitiated to discharge the used water in the tub 56. In this case, theused water is drained via the drain hose 82 outside the drum typewashing machine.

[0061] After completion of the draining step, new water is supplied tothe tub 56 and the drum 62 is then rotated to perform a rinsing step forrinsing the laundry. After completion of the rinsing step, the drainingstep is repeated.

[0062] Finally, after completion of the draining or washing step, thedrum 56 is rotated at high speed to remove water contents involved inthe laundry.

[0063] Thus, in the washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps, therotational shaft 58 receiving the driving force from the motor 60rotates the drum 62.

[0064] In such a case, the tub 56 vibrates horizontally, vertically, andin front-to-rear directions. The horizontal and vertical vibrations ofthe tub 56 are alleviated by the first and second dampers 91 a and 91 b,while the front-to-rear vibration of the tub 56 is alleviated by thethird damper 92.

[0065] Accordingly, the drum type washing machine according to thepresent invention has the following effects or advantages.

[0066] First of all, the first and second dampers attenuate the verticaland horizontal vibrations of the tub and the third damper attenuates thefront-to-rear vibration, whereby the vibrations transferred to the tubare effectively reduced.

[0067] Secondly, the drum type washing machine according to the presentinvention reduces the vibrations of the tub to prevent damage of theinternal parts such as the gasket and the like.

[0068] Thirdly, the drum type washing machine according to the presentinvention enables to be stably driven in washing, rinsing, anddewatering as the vibrations are reduced.

[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover such modifications andvariations, provided they come within the scope of the appended claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drum type washing machine comprising: a cabinetforming an exterior; a tub in the cabinet to hold water; a drum in thetub to hold a detergent and the water; a rotational shaft penetratinginto the tub to be coupled with a rear side of the drum; a motortransferring a driving force to the rotational shaft; and a damperprovided between the tub and the cabinet to attenuate vertical,horizontal, and front-to-rear vibrations transferred to the tub by arotation of the drum.
 2. The drum type washing machine as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the damper comprises a cylinder and a piston insertedin the cylinder to reciprocate.
 3. The drum type washing machine asclaimed in claim 2, wherein a cylinder holder is provided at one end ofthe cylinder to be coupled with the tub and a piston holder is providedat one end of the piston to be coupled with the cabinet.
 4. The drumtype washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cylinder andpiston holders are hinge-coupled with fixing ends provided at the tuband cabinet, respectively.
 5. The drum type washing machine as claimedin claim 1, the damper comprising: first and second dampers provided atleft and right sides under a bottom of the tub to attenuate the verticaland horizontal vibrations; and a third damper provided in rear of thetub to attenuate the front-to-rear vibration.
 6. The drum type washingmachine as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the first to thirddampers comprises a cylinder and a piston inserted in the cylinder toreciprocate.
 7. The drum type washing machine as claimed in claim 6,wherein a cylinder holder is provided at one end of the cylinder to becoupled with the tub and a piston holder is provided at one end of thepiston to be coupled with the cabinet.
 8. The drum type washing machineas claimed in claim 7, wherein the cylinder and piston holders arehinge-coupled with fixing ends provided at the tub and cabinet,respectively.
 9. A damper of a drum type washing machine, comprising:first and second dampers provided at left and right sides under a bottomof the tub to attenuate the vertical and horizontal vibrations; and athird damper provided in rear of the tub to attenuate the front-to-rearvibration.
 10. The damper as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of thefirst to third dampers comprises a cylinder and a piston inserted in thecylinder to reciprocate.
 11. The damper as claimed in claim 10, whereina cylinder holder is provided at one end of the cylinder to be coupledwith the tub and a piston holder is provided at one end of the piston tobe coupled with the cabinet.
 12. The damper as claimed in claim 11,wherein the cylinder and piston holders are hinge-coupled with fixingends provided at the tub and cabinet, respectively.